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Prep Xtra 2014: Pasadena Star-News Preseason Football Rankings

In this file photo, St. Francis faces Serra in battle of unbeaten football teams in a Mission League game Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 at Serra High in Gardena. St. Francis running back Areg Nazarian has nowhere to run. (Robert Casillas/Daily Breeze file)

Continued coverage

1. St. Francis

Strengths: The Golden Knights are loaded at the skilled positions. They return two of the area’s better players in receiver Dylan Crawford and tight end/linebacker John Carroll. They have speed with running back Areg Nazarian and the defense is solid with backs Avery and Mason Williams and lineman Brody Felchoau. On paper, St. Francis can be as good as last season.

Obstacles: Ty Gangi, who was the Star-News Player of the Year and keyed the run to the division semifinals, is gone, as well as most of the offensive line. If the replacements can’t adapt quickly to the varsity game, the Golden Knights could implode.

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Overall: History says the Golden Knights will reload and with the returning players back, be as good as those who have penciled them in as Serra League and Southeast Division champs. Coach Jim Bonds has a history of building quarterbacks. He did it with Gangi, and the belief is he can work the magic again, either with Matt Bailes, or Monrovia transfer Miles Bryant. If so, this team looks scary.

2. Muir

Strengths: The Mustangs return arguably the top player in the area in Taeon Mason, who has several top college offers. They are also solid on defense. Mason, and defender Bryan Reyes makes Muir the top team in the Pacific League.

Obstacles: Muir, sans Mason, is inexperienced. The Mustangs are loaded with juniors and sophomores. They have to replace a quarterback for the third consecutive season, including the last two Pacific League MVPs. The question is how quick can they adapt.

Overall: Muir has been down this road before and always seems to come out smiling. While the Mustangs are young, they are, as usual, very talented. Coach John Hardy has shown he can harness that talent and be quite successful. This season will be no different.

3. San Marino

Strengths: The Titans are another team that is experienced at the skilled position. They have speed at receiver, running back, quarterback and in the defensive secondary. Also, WR/DB Tyler Spitzer is a top return guy who can change momentum in a hurry.

Obstacles: Inexperience at offensive line. The Titans return just one starter up front, which could be a problem for a team that makes its money on the ground. How the new players adapt to varsity, will determine San Marino’s success.

Overall: There is enough talent here to keep the ball rolling for San Marino, which has been a top-five area team the past three seasons. They will battle Monrovia for supremacy in the Rio Hondo League, and the Titans get a slight lean to unseat the Wildcats.

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4. Monrovia

Strengths: The Wildcats might be the quickest team in the area. And yes, that includes Muir. They are solid at receiver with Kahlil Bradley and Octavius Spencer. The defense looks solid with two key starters back.

Obstacles: They lose their top two performers from a year ago, including at quarterback. The line is also inexperienced and it remains key how quickly the players will adapt to the new coaching staff.

Overall: The Wildcats look to be as strong as ever. The question is can QB Asaph Zamora get the ball to Spencer and Bradley. He was solid in summer passing leagues, but the test will be when the pads are on. This team should once again challenge in the Rio Hondo and the Southeast Division.

5. La Salle

Strengths: Quarterback Will Pyburn, who is getting looks from Arizona, is one of the top players in the area. The Lancers are also strenghened by some transfers from outside and inside the area. The defense is strong with some key returners.

Obstacles: The graduation hits were at receiver and on the defensive side. The replacements are young, so the Lancers’ success will be set by how they adapt. La Salle also moves up in class, from the Del Rey to the Serra, which will be a challenge.

Overall: The Lancers, who have won 19 games in two years and have been one of the area’s most-consistent teams the past two seasons. That’s not expected to change, but they likely drop down a notch in the new Serra League. But the playoffs are still within reach.